Average Up, Gross and Median Down at Arqana

The Arqana breeding stock sale in Deauville, France concluded Dec. 6 with final figures in line with the same sale a year ago, as the gross and median declined and the average price rose slightly.

The sales company reported 544 horses sold during the four-day auction for gross of €16,159,500, compared with the €16,309,000 paid for 567 head a year ago. The €29,705 average reflected a 3.3% gain over the €28,764 figure and the median declined 8.3% to €11,000 from €12,000. The 31% buyback rate represented an increase over the 28.2% RNA rate in 2010.

There were an additional 48 lots sold privately this year for €1,204,500, bringing the total gross to €17,364,000. With 34 private transactions last year, the 2010 auction had a total gross of €17,119,500.

“We are very pleased with the sale,” said Arqana’s Eric Hoyeau. “The aggregate is slightly higher than last year and very close to the historical heights of 2006 and 2007, which took place in a radically different context. This performance was achieved courtesy of the higher number of horses sold above €100,000: 39 this year against 30 in 2010.

"We witnessed some strong trade on the upper market, with demand often exceeding supply and several new international investors. It is nevertheless satisfactory to notice that half the mares bought for six figures are destined to stay in France. On the foal market, we still face limited due to cultural reasons as well as the fact that many breeders fear to lose their premiums if the foal is exported. However, each time a good foal went through the ring, it sold very well.”